■ Helpless ■ Gilbert Blythe ■

The unlimited amount of bad luck

■■■

All the girls knew that Anne started her first menstrual cycle, mostly because she was being too dramatic and everybody found out.

That's why, during lunch break, of all subjects, they were discussing periods.

"Shhh. Not so loud, I got mine three months ago and I feel extremely mature." Josie Pye stated with a smug look.

Victoria still wondered how she and Josie could stay in the same room together, since neither did seem to like the other.

"You seem mature." Diana said, continuing to Josie's statement. "I think the boys are taking me more seriously, too." Josie continued.

Anne looked at Victoria mortified and then looked at the others with the exact same look. "But they can't tell. Can they? Can tell?" Anne asked and Victoria shook her head. "Of course not, they're too thick to notice."

"Not tell per se. But I'm not a little girl anymore, and I believe that's noticeable. My bosoms are growing." Josie boasted.

"They're not that noticeable." Victoria whispered to Anne underneath her breath which caused the latter to smile.

"Yet another reason why this is inexplicable." Anne muttered more loudly for the others to hear. 

"I got mine last year." Diana added to the conversation. "Me too." Tillie said.

"My father has started opening the door for me. It's sweet." Diana continued with a smile.

Suddenly all smiles were gone when Ruby started sniffling. "Ruby, what's wrong?" Victoria asked as her attention turned towards the crying girl.

"I'm not a woman! Why don't I have it?!" She pouted and Anne quickly stopped her. "Trust me, if I could give you mine, I would. This is so inconvenient!!!" She complained.

"Keep your voice down Anne!" Diana shushed. "No one's supposed to know. A woman's cycle is a shameful thing."

"Why?" Anne asked.

"It's 'unmentionable' that's why." Diana added. "That's not a reason."

"Why don't you ever understand anything?" Josie said in a bitter tone.

Victoria opened her mouth to say something but Anne stopped her. She knew that Victoria would not hesitate to  talk back.

"Marilla said it's God's plan, so doesn't that make it good? I mean, we can make a whole person. Where's the shame in that?" Anne said as she clutched her stomach with a smile.

"Am I the only one who thinks she's out of her mind?" Josie asked everyone in the circle.

"It is good Anne. But let's keep the making children for later in life." Victoria told Anne with a wink.

"It's a secret, Anne. That's just the way it is." The way Diana explained was very gentle in contrast to Josie.

"Do boys have to contend with anything like this?" Anne asked as she tried to peek out of the window. "Boys have their own problems." Diana continued.